According to a report made by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday, Taiwan railways will offer more frequent train services and shorter travelling times to inter-city commuters starting in 2007.
Lin Lin-san (林陵三), minister of transport, announced that the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) is planning a project that focuses on providing short to mid-distance shuttle services between cities in order to replace the need for mass rapid transit (MRT) in major cities and to complement the long-distance service offered by the High Speed Rail (HSR) system.
The minister of the MOTC and the director general of the TRA, Huang De-chih (
"Since the government cannot afford to build an MRT system in all major cities, the TRA aims to replace the need for an MRT," Lin said.
According to the report, the TRA will use its existing rail network while modifying its routes and set up new stops around major cities to offer short-distance services for inter-city or inter-district commuters and future travelers of the HSR system.
Once established, compared to the current services offered every 15 to 20 minutes between Keelung and Hsinchu, train services will be offered every six to 10 minutes during peak hours and 20 to 30 minutes during off-peak hours.
Furthermore, the travel time needed between Keelung and Taipei will be reduced from over 40 minutes to 30 minutes.
"This expansion of Taiwan rail will not only save money for the government by replacing MRTs, but it will also act as a new alternative for the TRA in facing the possible impact of the HSR system," commented Huang.
The HSR project was approved by the Cabinet in 1992 and its construction commenced in 2000. If it is completed on time in 2005, it will run approximately 345km from Taipei to Kaohsiung in 90 minutes.
When asked by legislators if the HSR's inauguration will bankrupt the TRA, Huang said that the TRA has tried to modify its services while searching for new options in the future.
"Since the HSR system will offer long-distance services, Taiwan Rail will modify its routes to complement the HSR system by developing short and mid-distance transportation," said Huang.
Answering Legislator Chung Shao-ho's (鍾紹和) question about whether the project would only focus on northern Taiwan, Lin stressed that the whole west coast is included in the project, "but the initial focus will be put on districts around three metropolitan areas, Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung."
According to the TRA, further evaluation of the project will be conducted by an assigned research and planning council. Construction for the TRA project is set to begin next year and it is expected to be completed in 2007.
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